We thought things couldn't get any worse.  With our two aces Todd and Andy handicapped by serious hand injuries, Dilshad unavailable, and another couple of players sunning themselves in Bali, we welcomed Friends CC to the Abekawa Cricket Oblong.
After the annihilation suffered by the Kytes earlier on in the season against Friends (Amir 186no from a total of 340 odd, need more be said?) some extra pre-game practice was in order.  So we perfected our bush-searching skills, worked on our wading technique, and practised shouting "Yours".
There were two debutants, Mark and Jonathan, welcome additions to our club.  Both acquitted themselves well against formidable opponents.

We thought things couldn't get any worse.  Well, much to our surprise they didn't.  The game went pretty much to script though.  Toss lost. Fielding first.  High total by Friends, including a big individual score. Batting collapse by Kytes.  Rearguard action not nearly enough.  Another drubbing.
However the bare facts alone don't tell the full story.  Friends' total was nowhere near as high as feared.  In fact our bush-searching skills were only put to the test on a couple of occasions, and nothing went in the river (or rather the river-bed).  The score of 133, retired out, was not, repeat not, made by Amir.  He struck a mere 8 runs (less than Kevin would later score), caught by Skip off Bruce.  Our bowlers were by no means thrashed around the ground.  A few more pouched catches would have made a huge difference.  Neil, Andrew and Bruce bowled with some success.  Todd was miserly as usual, and his figures received an unexpected fillip in the final over, a wicket coming from the 4th delivery, and another from the 6th, the final delivery of the innings. Did I mention that Kevin made the catch?  The first we all knew was when he toppled over backwards, his hands protecting his neck from the red, spherical missile, which was nestling neatly in his palms. Great catch.  Friend 's innings closed on 242/8.

Our turn.  Not the greatest of starts. Even from his short run-up the deadly Amir contrived to bag a hat-trick from the final two deliveries of one over and the first of his next.  He then graciously took himself off and proceeded to give most of his friends a chance to turn their arm.  The fortunate beneficiaries of all this were the Kytes lower order batsmen who faced some very benign fare.  Andrew and Skip in paticular took advantage and the innings eventually closed on a rather flattering 120 all out.  By the way, did I mention that cuddly Kev scored 9?
Another drubbing, but certainly not the humiliation of the previous encounter with Friends.
 
 

Kevin's got a mobile.

Robert got some new pads (leg and thigh).

Todd broke his answering machine.

Kevin's got a school.

Sadly, Andrew has emigrated to the States.

Kevin's staying here.

Anton returned from Bali in one piece.

Takashi was spotted walking in with the bowler.

Garth's coming back to Japan, working for Nikko in Tokyo.

Abekawa nearly dried up.

Francis didn't.

Shoko can tell you where the police station is.

Bruce received his best delivery nowhere near the ground.

Tom received his only delivery of the season.

Takashi's scar is getting better.

Todd's car is getting worse.
 
 

An excellent weekend's cricket at the Abekawa Cricket Oblong ended in glorious style for the Far East Cricket Club of Tokyo. Their consistent all-round cricket resulted in victories against both Doshisha University of Kyoto and the hosts, Shizuoka Kytes CC, ensuring they retained the Sumpu Cricket Trophy for the second year.
Doshisha claimed victory in the opening game of the triangular tournament, against the Kytes, but from that point nothing could stop the Tokyoites, who swept the other two games.  The winless Kytes however were not disgraced and a measure of the closeness of the competition can be seen from the fact that from a potential maximum of 180 overs (6 innings of 30 overs) no less than 175 were completed in a festival of cricket.
 

Kytes were asked to bat, and on a hard, bouncy track the Kytes got off to their usual start, pretty dreadful. Neil and Bizen put bat to ball with a few nice-looking shots, and Mark had his moment, but there were few bright spots in the first 20 overs, with the Kytes flapping their way to 50/8.  An exceptional bowling performance by Kato of 4/5, coupled with some smart fielding by the entire Doshisha team added to the Kytes' malaise.
However Andrew was still at the crease and, after a shaky start, the Hunt's county bat began to tonk.  His only concern was lack of partners. Finally help came from the no. 11, Robert, who stubbornly stood his ground in staunch support.  A swashbuckling innings from Andrew wrested some of the control away from the undergraduates, and a last wicket stand of 51 runs ensued.  The entire 30 overs were used with Robert correctly sacrificing his wicket in attempting a single from the final delivery, which ironically turned out to be a wide.  By this time Andrew had scorched on to 73no and the total had raced to 115.  The last-wicket partnership changed the whole complexion of the game, giving the Kytes a defendable total, though another 20 or so runs could well have been made with a little more circumspect batting from the other 9 members.
Clouds started to mass overhead and conditions were decidedly murky as the Doshisha openers took to the field, with Toddy chomping at the bit.
The innings began hesitantly, but careful batting meant that wickets were hard to come by.  Good bowling from the openers, Todd and Anton, both in fiery mood, kept the run-rate down and the good work was continued by Andrew.
However when the ace, Kato, reached the centre the story changed.  He hit most of the bad balls and many of the good.  Andrew, Neil and Takashi got some stick.  The big guns were brought back but similar treatment was handed out to Todd and Anton. Kato was wielding the willow with some gusto, and Skip made the observation that, “If we catch him, we win". Famous last words.  Not  two overs later a sprawling Skip let the ball (and quite possibly the trophy) slip through his hands and over the boundary.  “\100!" was the shout.
Despite some shrewd field placings from Anton, producing a few errors which were converted into wickets, and a neat stumping from Robert late in the innings, the university lads were never behind the clock.
The grey skies were getting greyer by the over, and started to send down some light rain.  Play continued in difficult conditions for both batsmen and fielders.  When the rain got heavier the game was in some danger of abandonment, but both teams struggled on and justice was seen to be done when Doshisha eventually overtook Kytes' score with a couple of overs and a couple of wickets in hand, Kato carrying his bat on 82.  Who knows what an extra 20 runs would have done for the Kytes.
 

Even though the rain had eased off, it had made conditions extremely slippery and potentially dangerous, so it was mutually decided to use the mat for this game.
Far East went in to bat, got off to a tremendous start, and never looked back.  The opening partnership was seldom in trouble and, as the overs ticked by, the run-rate began to snowball.  The dark and the gloom seemed to hamper the rapidly-tiring undergraduates more than the fresh openers, not surprising since Doshisha had been playing for the best part of 6 hours by this time.  The light got so bad that even the umpires were having a great deal of trouble in sighting the ball so play was prematurely ended for the day with the Far Easterners on 149/2 and another 5 overs remaining for them to face tomorrow morning. Meanwhile the lure of Ciccio's was calling.

CICCIO'S - A chance for all 3 teams and friends to meet, to mingle, to swap stories and to drink.  Had the whole place more or less to ourselves all evening and the opportunity to socialise was not wasted by anyone.
As usual the ichiban yasui beer ran out, leaving us to order the ichiban takai weasel-piss instead, but nevertheless a jolly time was had by one and all.  For the likes of Toddy Ciccio's was merely a stepping-stone on an all-night path of lechery and debauchery, which included the aptly-named Pimper's Paradise and sundry other establishments of dubious reputation.

Play resumed at 9.30 the following day, 30 mins earlier than scheduled, to accommodate the remaining 5 overs of the Far East innings.  The sun was shining and they made hay.  A further 51 runs were tonked in a slugfest and the shellshocked uni-boys saw a total of 200 staring them in the face.
The Doshisha openers took guard knowing the stiff task ahead, an asking rate in excess of a run a ball. They were soon in trouble and a few wickets fell cheaply.  Even Kato was pretty subdued and, despite batting for most of the allotted overs, the target was never in sight, and the Far Easterners ran out comfortable winners.  Already they were looking favourites to hoist the trophy yet again. Only the Kytes could stop them.  Kytes needed not only a victory in the final game, but a crushing one at that in order to improve upon the Far East run-rate, a tall order.
Doshisha University thus finished with 1 win and 1 loss, and had played some magnificient cricket in fine and honourable fashion.  Commendable.
 

The showdown.  A late night phone-call from Andrew had enabled the Kytes to draft in a trio of Fuji players to make up a depleted team.  They made it to the ground just in time and Michael got out of the car, strapped on his pads and strode out into the middle to open the innings.  Well, not only did he open it, but he closed it too.  In a tremendous effort he carried his bat whilst all around him flailed and failed.  No fewer than 3 Kytes fell in the same lame way, a kind of top-edged hook which sent the ball looping over their shoulder and into the waiting gloves of Captain Sato.
In an innings strangely reminiscent of the one against Doshisha, the Kytes run-rate picked up speed in the final 10 overs, the acceleration coming when Mark C joined his Fujian team-mate at the crease. Mark was the only other batsman to show any form with the bat as he displayed a genuine ability, striking some very sweet shots on his way to an invaluable 28. Michael ended on an excellent 78no and the innings was closed as Robert once more sacrificed his wicket in attempting a valiant single from the final delivery.  The total of 145 was much more than had been dreamed of at the drinks break, but the fact remained that the run-rate in no way matched that of the Far East's innings against Doshisha, and for the Kytes to lift the trophy the Far East would have to be restricted to about 50, possible, but only just.
Some very tight opening spells from Todd and Andrew did manage to keep the rate depressed, and a few wickets fell, but it was not enough.  The Far Easterners were making slow but steady progress.  Takashi joined the attack and from the first delivery of his second over controversy suddenly arose for the first time this weekend.  His cleverly flighted full-toss had the batsman in all sorts of trouble and, after a few ricochets off bat, pad, boot and bat again, the ball eventually rolled on to the middle stump, gently dislodging a bail.  Out.  Or was it?  The umpire thought that it was, but the batsman, before trudging back to the pavilion muttered that Takashi had suddenly switched to bowling over the wicket.  True or not?  A quick check with the bowler revealed that indeed he had taken it upon himself to switch sides without bothering to mention it to anyone.  In fact he had almost tripped over the non-striker.  At this point the Kytes keeper observed that the correct decision sho uld have been a no ball.  A number of the fielders, including Skip were none too happy about the prospect of recalling the batsman, but fairplay prevailed, the batsman returned, and he managed to nudge a few more runs before departing for good.
At the other end Mark C was getting into his stride, loping in effortlessly, before transforming his body position to release the ball with devastating accuracy.  He was rewarded with only the one wicket, a smart caught and bowled, a meagre return for a fine display. Takashi, plugging away at the other end, was able to cash in a little as the batsmen threw their bat at his gentler spinners, and yielded two well-judged catches by Mark M and Todd in the outfield.
As the darkness began to envelop the ACO 6 overs still remained and the Kytes were forced to turn to their 5th and 6th string bowlers.  Meanwhile the Far East were not too far behind the required run-rate.  There had been no real fireworks, just a surreptitious advance that caught Skip unawares. Instead of concentrating on restricting the runs Skip was more concerned with getting through the 30 overs before the gloom engulfed the entire valley.  The Tokyoites needing 19 for victory with the last two overs remaining, and with a few wickets in hand as a cushion, struck out for glory.  Twelve runs were amassed from a particularly sloppy over from Skip, and two boundaries from the first two deliveries of the final over secured the win.  Trophy retained. Once more at a crucial time Skip had faltered. He ended up handing the trophy to a jubilant Far East team both metaphorically and literally.

The Sumpu Cricket Trophy was thus retained by the Far East Cricket Club with a splendid all-round team performance, and all three teams affirmed their intention to contest the trophy next season.
 

No, Mark Taylor and the boys are not coming to the ACO.  This is simply a light-hearted quiz on any aspect of cricket that the editor has a book about.

As you can see there are 5 questions in the first test.  Should you answer 3 or more correctly then you've won the first test of the series.

Clear as mud?  Ready?  No conferring.

a) In all first-class cricket has the average cost of a wicket risen or fallen since the introduction of one-day cricket?

b) When exactly does a batsman's innings commence?

c) If a batsman is wearing a box is his runner required so to do?

d) If a fielder leaves the field for 10 minutes playing time, following his return how long must he wait before being permitted to bowl?

e) Can a specialist short leg act as a substitute fielder and immediately take position at short leg?

The answers will be in the next issue (should there be one).
 
 

There can be few more satisfying things in th life than bowling a maiden over, especially at home.  Which brings us to Todd's party.
Showing great courage Todd decided it was time to open the doors of his new abode to all and sundry.  A flat-warming party was mixed with Kevin's birthday bash and topped off with Andrew's sayonara do.  Even though the Kytes entourage made up the majority of the participants there were also delegations from rugby, wind-surfing and music, and a few others who were daft enough to want to go too.
A drinking game of Kiwi origins set the party going in the right direction, but, despite the dot-balls, no-one had got anywhere near bowling a maiden.  Things warmed up when the conversation turned to Mihoko's leather pants. The subject of leather bras was swiftly raised and the temperature rose even higher.  A random survey of leather undergarments was made and we were just a couple of balls away from that elusive maiden when a wide ball was sent down.  The last ball was padded away and the moment was lost.
Kevin kept up the attack though and no sooner had he espied a particularly creamy Swiss roll than he was engaged in a slapstick fight with the lovely Keiko.  How such a refined character as her could be dragged down to such a low level as Kevin's was beyond most of the astonished observers. It was funny though.  They both emerged from the confrontation caked in... well... er... cake. A dishonourable draw was the result.
Time to regroup, back to the drinking games.  A couple of the not out batswomen, the rather alluring pair of Ai and Kaori stepped to the crease and faced a number of good spells. Texan Mark, on his debut, put on a spirited attempt but alas no maidens were bowled.
The party though was enjoyed by one and all.  We wished Andy all the very best in his new life, we wished Kevin a happy birthday, and we wished that we could have helped clear up the mess for Todd.
So the Kytes had nearly finished another innings without bowling any maidens, but then Kevin came on for the final over.
 
 
 
 

A final cricketing farewell to Andrew took place on an exceedingly grey November morning at the ACO.  With no opposition the Kytes decided to play with each other.  A double-wicket contest was hastily arranged by the 10 members who were able to drag what remained of their bodies to the ground.  It can be no coincidence that the star of the day, Umehara-san, had not been with the carnal cabal the previous night.

The first pairing of Anton and Kevin made steady progress to a respectable 25 runs from their 5 overs, with Kevin hogging much of the bowling, coming off his maiden from the last match.

The next pair of Andrew and Bizen-san hit some lusty blows, but Bizen suffered two suicidal runouts and the total finished on 34.  Andrew bade farewell to the ACO crease with a couple of sixes and a few fours in scoring 32 runs from the bat.

Neil and Takashi were soon in trouble when Robert took an incredible one-handed catch off Takashi's inside edge.  Neil took the bull by the horns at this point and at one stage crashed 4 fours from 5 deliveries.  However this cavalier approach resulted in the pair losing another 3 wickets which diminished their final total to 25.

The two skips took guard and, after a cautious start, Ume let loose. A barrage of shots sent the score leaping.  Dropped catches helped their cause and the total reached 54, Ume blossoming early with a cracking 35.

The final pairing of Todd and Robert decided to attack from the start. This time the catches were pouched and, in one bizarre over from Skip, Todd not only gave him an unlikely hat-trick, but also 4 wickets in 5 balls (the other being a wide), and to top it all Anton bagged 3 catches at deep mid-on, the hat-trick ball being the pick.  An enormous total of 49 was reduced drastically by the loss of 9 wickets, and the skippers' pairing ran out winners of a really fun contest.

In a fitting end to proceedings Andrew bowled the last over of the day, clean bowling Todd with his 5th delivery, followed by a sly and illegal underarmer, before the climax, when Toddy, no doubt desiring Andy finish on a high note, lofted the ball clean on to the neighbouring baseball ground.  The very same ball was signed by one and all and presented to Andrew in thanks for the fine service that he gave to the club.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

When Wellington met Central Districts in a Plunkett Shield match in Wellington in 1951/52 Central Districts were set 214 runs to win.  At the fall of the last wicket, that of F Cresswell, 213 runs had been scored and the match tied.  However the scorers later found a misplaced no ball and, after long consideraton, the game was deemed to be a win for Central Districts.  F Cresswell was not only found to be not out, he was also judged not to have batted at all, since the winning run had actually been made before he went in to bat!
 
 
 

Did you make it all the way through without revealing your stomach contents?  Even more shocking news is promised in the next issue.

Should any interested party wish to make any contribution to Sky Times, the editor will be only too pleased to include it in the next issue. Articles will be accepted typed or handwritten, in English, ???, Fran*ais or Serbo-Croat, by post, by fax or by hand, on paper or papyrus, but stone tablets are definitely out.

Please send to - Patrick Harrington
421-0115 Shizuoka-shi
Mizuho 4-7-21

Tel.: 054-256-4417